"Color Usage" is a parameter that you can assign to the colors of a job in the Prinect Manager ("Usage" column in the job settings). This parameter lets you assign a usage to a color separation. For example, "Coating Unit" means that this color separation will be printed only at the coating unit.
In the ImposePDF sequence, you can use the "color usage" options to define which color separations with an assigned usage will be used in the ensuing PDF file.
You can enable or disable the following color usage options:
•Printing Unit
When this option is enabled, all the separations assigned this usage will be added to the PDF document.
•Special, printing unit
When this option is enabled, all the separations assigned this usage will be added to the PDF document. These separations will be printed using the relevant printing unit but there will be no color control.
•Coating Unit
When this option is enabled, all the separations assigned this usage will be added to the PDF document. These separations will be output solely as varnish work.
•Tool
When this option is enabled, all the separations assigned this usage will be added to the PDF document. These separations generally contain just die marks and can be used, for example, for producing die tools.
•Proof
When this option is enabled, all the separations assigned this usage will be added to the PDF document. These separations generally contain (Imposition)Proof marks in a "ProofColor" or "DieLine" color. They should not be used for imaging.
•External
When this option is enabled, all the separations assigned this usage will be added to the PDF document. These separations generally contain marks for work processes outside the normal offset workflow, e.g. embossing.
By selecting or deselecting the single color usage options, you can create special PDF documents with different ImposePDF sequences. Besides offset printing, these documents then can be used, for example, for producing die tools.
Note: Details about color usage can be found in the Prinect Signa Station documentation.